Men's Tennis 3/29/2015 12:00:00 AM

THIRD SETS GO RADFORD’S WAY IN 4-3 VICTORY OVER PRESBYTERIAN

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BLACKSBURG, Va. – In a down-to-the-wire Big South men's tennis match between Radford and Presbyterian College, the Highlanders were able to prevail in three three-set singles decisions to outlast PC, 4-3, Saturday night at Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center on the campus of Virginia Tech.

"This was a thrilling match between two teams desperately looking to gain ground on the other in the Big South standings," head coach Mike Anderson said. "As we have found thus far in conference play, there are going to be many close decisions like this one. I am pleased to see our underclassmen step up in pressure situations like they have this week."

RU (5-7, 2-1 Big South) fell behind 2-0 to open the conference clash, which was moved to Tech's indoor courts due to cold and windy conditions. The Blue Hose (14-7, 1-3 Big South) swept doubles competition and earned a point at No. 6 singles before Michiel Meekers stepped up for Radford by defeating Alejandro Bejar in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) at the third flight. It was the freshman's third straight singles win.

Diego Manzanas brought PC within one point of clinching the dual on the strength of his 7-6 (3), 6-4 triumph over Nikhil Mannepalli in the second slot.

The remaining three singles matches all went three sets. Adding to the drama, two of those three-set matches went to a third-set tiebreaker. Janken Thoen was the next Highlander to finish, capturing his third straight singles victory (6-3, 0-6, 7-6 (4)) at the No. 5 over Danny Bruce.

Patrick O'Keefe delivered the equalizer when the senior captain shook off a second-set setback to prevail, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, over Alexander Lykou at the top flight. The Salem, Va., native has now won eight consecutive singles decisions to run his dual season record to 9-2.

O'Keefe's triumph set the stage for freshman Jose Moreno Manzano to come through in the clutch. After cruising to a 6-2 first-set win against Brandon Mills, Moreno Manzano suffered a 6-1 loss in the second stanza. Unlike the opening two frames, the third set was a back-and-forth battle, which eventually ended in a 7-6 (5) victory for Moreno Manzano.

RU, which has won three in row, returns to the Radford University Tennis Complex Sunday at 2 p.m. against Longwood.

Radford (4) def. Presbyterian (3)
Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center (Blacksburg, Va.)
Saturday, March 28, 2015

Doubles competition
1. Alexander Lykou / Brandon Mills (PC) def. Patrick O'Keefe / Javier Waase (RU), 8-2
2. Ben Kelley / Joel Roberts (PC) def. Janken Thoen / Jose Moreno Manzano (RU), 8-4
3. Danny Bruce / Diego Manzanas (PC) def. Michiel Meekers / Nikhil Mannepalli (RU), 8-7 (3)

Order of finish: 1, 2*, 3

Singles competition
1. Patrick O'Keefe (RU) def. Alexander Lykou (PC), 7-5, 3-6, 6-2
2. Diego Manzanas (PC) def. Nikhil Mannepalli (RU), 7-6 (3), 6-4
3. Michiel Meekers (RU) def. Alejandro Bejar (PC), 6-3, 6-4
4. Jose Moreno Manzano (RU) def. Brandon Mills (PC), 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (5)
5. Janken Thoen (RU) def. Danny Bruce (PC), 6-3, 0-6, 7-6 (4)
6. Ben Kelley (PC) def. Samuel Taylor (RU), 6-3, 6-0

Order of finish: 6, 3, 2, 5, 1, 4

Match Notes
Radford (5-7, 2-1 Big South)
Presbyterian (14-7, 1-3 Big South)

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Players Mentioned

Patrick O'Keefe: 5' 11"; Senior

Samuel Taylor: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore

Janken Thoen: 6' 1"; Sophomore

Javier Waase: 5' 9"; Senior

Michiel Meekers: 6' 4"; Freshman

Jose Moreno Manzano: 6' 1"; Freshman

Nikhil Mannepalli: 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Patrick O'Keefe
: 5' 11"; Senior

Samuel Taylor
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Sophomore

Janken Thoen
: 6' 1"; Sophomore

Javier Waase
: 5' 9"; Senior

Michiel Meekers
: 6' 4"; Freshman

Jose Moreno Manzano
: 6' 1"; Freshman

Nikhil Mannepalli
: 6' 0"; Freshman